Peabody Seeks Steep Hike In Water, Sewer Rates

PEABODY, MA -- Mayor Ted Bettencourt is asking for a 7.5% increase in water rates and will seek to take $1.2 million from the stabilization fund to pay for increased water bills. The city has been getting water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority since a fire at the Coolidge Water Treatment Plant last year. MWRA recently issued the city a preliminary bill of $4.2 million for 2017 to the city.

When the plant was in operation, the city typically was billed around $2 million annually for water from MWRA. If approved, the proposed rate hikes would hit Peabody water and sewer customers at the start of the next fiscal year on July 1.

The city imposed 5% increases in 2016 and 2017 after holding rates flat for nearly a decade. Bettencourt's proposal still needs City Council approval.

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Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).